Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa, is a large city with laidback Midwestern culture, good jobs, and many outdoor activities. The Des Moines River runs through the center of the city providing residents with scenic vistas, while the downtown core is home to a thriving arts and entertainment district. Residents and visitors enjoy unique attractions such as Blank Park Zoo and the Adventureland Amusement Park. Union Park is a populated historic neighborhood in central Des Moines. The area is fairly diverse, and full of young families and highly educated professionals. Most of the neighborhood's homes are historic mansions. The area is well-known for Grand View University in the north and Union Park in the south.